Electrolytic cell.



D. SHAW.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL. m'ucmou men was 22. 1915. RENEWED OCT. 11, 1916.

Patented Dc. 12, 1916.

2 sums-sum 1.

$4 I a? 51 36 4 a% K6 2? Z6 a/ I4 11 I, I W h! I A Z!:-- Z5 ,z/

v ATTORNEY D. SHAW.

. ELECTROLYTIC cm.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22.1915- RENEWED OCT. H-{IQIG- 1,208,722. Patented Dec. 12,1916.

I If

12 mlmmmnummmuni. 1 la i 05 T I L-.;:' J L: g

i I: EV El 5 lA/l/E/VTOR fie ATTOMJEV rnnr DUDLEY SHAW, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

LZCSNZE.

Specification of Letters -Patent.

Application filed June 22, 1915, Serial No. 35,518.

the following is a full, clear, and exact spe-ci-- tication.

My invention relates to improvements in means for electrolytically producing; gases, or separating fluids into their component gases, and the same has for its object more particularly to provide a simple, efficient and reliable electrolytic cell by means of uhich a fluid may be decomposed into its constituent gases, the said gases separately conducted from the cell to suitable containers.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an electrolytic cell in which the removable or positive electrode mav be readily removed without disturbing the electrical insulation thereof, and without disturbing the means which serve as the sup-- port for'said electrode.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an electrolytic cell in which the positive electrode, and the support to which it is secured can be readily removed from the cellnvithout disturbing or interfering with its electrical insulation, and Without disturbing the particular means Which serves to support said electrode.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a cell in Which all or the principal parts can be readily removed and replaced Without disturbing the electrical or mechanical balance of the cell.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and inv part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, my invention consists in the novel details of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings fornnng or member part of this specification wherein like numeralspf reference indicate like parts+Fig ure 1 is a central longitudinal section taken.

substantially on the line 11 of Fig. 2,

Serial No. 125,087.

. Patented Dec.

Renewed October 11, 1916,

jointly detached and partly removed from the cell, and Fig. a is a similar view showingthe positive electrode with its support together with the diaphragm and its support, as a whole, partly removed from the cell.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my said invention as embodied in an electrolytic cell for obtaining hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolytic (lGCORliQOSillOH of acid or slightly alkaline water.

In said drawings 10 designates a tank-or container which may be of any suitable size or shape, and made of conducting material, such as cast or sheet metal. The cell 10 provided at its upper edge with a laterally extending flange 11 upon which is disposed a diaphragm support 12 having its edge conformed to the edge of the flange 11, of said cell 10. The said diaphragm support 12 preferably madeof cast iron and is pro vided at its center with a rectangular opening having a sleeve portion 13 depending from the edge of said opening. The said sleeve portion conforms in outline substantially with the interior of the cell 10, but so much smaller as to leave a material space between the outer sides thereof and the inner sides of the walls of said receptacle or container 10.

Upon the diaphragm support 12 is disposed a. cover plate or top 1 1 which is sufficiently larger than the opening in the top 12 in order to form a closure for said opening. Bolts 1 1, 1%, extend through the cover plate 11, and the diaphragm support 12 and engage the flange 11 of the receptacle 10 to hold the parts in their assembled positions. Adjacent the ends of the cover plate 1% and intern'iediate the side thereof are .holes to receive bolts 1% which engage the diaphragm support 12,

-of the electrolyte. The said diaphragm 17 showing one form of electrolytic cell con-.

structed according to, and embodying my said invention; Fig. 2 is a plan or top view thereof; Fig. 3 1s a side view showing the positive electrode and the support therefor is preferably made in the forin or shape of a bag or sack and has its open upper end disposed about the depending sleeve 13 of the 1 diaphragm support 12, and secured thereto by a flat inetal strap or band 18.

' 19 indicates the positive electrode which -may be made either as a casting or of sheet metal and of a shape corresponding in crossseetion substantially with the general outline of the cell 10, but so much smaller that the same may be easily inserted into and removed through the. depending flange or sleeve 13 of the diaphragm support 12. The said electrode 19 is open atits top and bottom, and is provided at its upper end with a pair of transverse supporting members 20 which are secured at their ends to the pposite sides of the electrode 19. From the top of each supporting member-20 extends upwardly a stem 21 having a reduced per.-

tion 22 extending therefrom.

The cell cover or top 14 is provided with apertures in each of which is disposed a hard rubber bushing 23 having a flange 24: at its lower end, and abOXG. and below said flange 24 are disposed soft rubber packings 25, 25. The upper end of said bushing 23 extends through the cell top or cover 1 1, and has its projecting end surrounded by a soft rubber washer 26.

27 denotes a cap also madeot' hard rubber and provided with a central opening, and adapted to be passed over the upper reduced screw-threaded end 22 of the stem 21,

and contact with the softrubber packing 26 upon the upper surface of the top 14: and surrounding said reduced portion 22. Above the .cap 27 is disposed a metal washer 28, and upon said metal Washer is disposed a lock nut 29.

31, 31 denote nuts disposed upon the upper end of the reduced stem portion 22, and between said nuts 31, 31 is clamped an electric terminal 32.

33 denotes an oxygen gas outlet in the form of a tube which maybe of any con venient size and length and extends through the top plate or cover 14 and into the space within the depending sleeve portion 13 of the diaphragm support 12, and 3% denotes a similar outlet for the hydrogen gas The said outlet 3-1 also extends through the diaphragm support 12, and into the space between the outer side of the depending sleeve portion 13 thereof and the inner sides of the walls of the cell 10.

35 denotes an electric terminal which is secured directlyto thecell by clamping the same upon one of the bolts intermediate the underside of the flange ll and the nut 1(3- of such bolt.

36 denotes an eye-bolt secured to the cover plate 14 intermediate the stems 22 of the positive electrode serving as a handle whereby to raise said cover plate 14, and electrode therein when the cell is to be taken'apart for inspection or cleaning.

The operation of the apparatus is as fol-- lows :When the proper electrical current is supplied to the terminals 32, a circuit will be completed and current caused to pass 0 plate 1a with the positive electrode secured thereon without disturbing the said dia- VVhen it is desired tyremove the phragm support 12 and the diaphragm 1T secured thereto. If, on the other'hand, it is desired to remove the cover eplatedd and the positive electrode 19 carried "thereby,

jointly with the diaphragm support 12 and the diaphragm 17 thereon it merely'becornes necessary to remove the bolts 15, 15, 14f and grasp' said parts bythe eye-bolt 36, and raise the connected parts bodily "out of the cell 10.

It is to be noted particularly that by means of my improved cell construction, I am enabled to remove the positive electrode and its support without disturbing the diaphragm or itssupport, and to remove the said electrode with its support, jointly with said diaphragm and its support, thus rendering the examination of the interior of the cell. and its contained parts a simple matter, and preventing all liability of in ury to the operator.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is 1. An apparatus of the character described compirising a receptable constituting an electrode, a support mounted upon said receptacle having anopening therein, a porous diaphragm secured to said support and registering with the opening therein, a gas outlet communicating with the interior of said receptacle outside of said diaphragm, a cover for sealing the opening in said support, a gas outlet communicating with the interior of said diaphragm, and an electrode secured to said cover and extending into said diaphragm, substantially as specified.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a receptacle eonstit'uting an electrode, a support mounted upon .said receptacle having an opening therein,

a sleeve member depending from said support, a porous diaphragm secured at its top to the sleeve member on said support, a gasoutlet connnunicating with the interior 9f said receptacle outside of said diaphragm,

a cover for sealing the opening in said sup port, a gas outlet communicating with the support to said receptacle,

- the same,

interior of said diaphragm, an electrode secured to said cover and extending into said diaphragm, aeans for securing said cover to said support, and means securing said substantially as specified.

3.'An apparatus of the character described comprising a receptacle.constituting an electrode, a support mounted upon said receptacle having an opening therein. a sleeve member depending from said support, a diaphragm secured at its top to the sleeve -member on saidsupport, a cover for sealing the opening in said support, an electrode secured to said cover and insulated therefrom and extending into said diaphragm, a gas outlet provided in said support, a gas out; let provided in said cover, means for securing, said support to said receptacle, and means, independent of the means for securing said support to said receptacle, for securing said cover to said support, substantially as specified.

4. An apparatusof the character described comprising a receptacle constituting an electrode, a flange provided along the edge of said receptacle, a support disposed upon said receptacle and serving partly to close means for securing said support to said-flange; said support having a central opening therein, a sleeve member depending from the edge of said support, a diaphragm secured along its top to said sleeve member, a cover plate for sealing the opening in said support, an electrode disposed Within said diaphragm, supporting means extending I from said last-named electrode through the opening in said support and said cover plate and insulated from said cover plate, means for securing said cover plate to said support, means provided upon said cover plate for conducting gas fromthe interior of said diaphragm, support and communicating with the interior of said receptacle exteriorly. of said diaphragm for conducting gas therefrom, sub stantially as specified.

5. An apparafus of the character de scribed comprising a receptacle constituting an electrode, laterally-extending flange provided along the open portion of said receptacle, a support corresponding in outline with the outline of said flange, means for securing said support to said flange; said and means provided uporr'said.

support having a sleeve member .de said opcni phragm disposed on said support in phragm to s; i

the depending sleeve for securing said d1aover plate forsealte to said support, arm said diaphragm, ired to said electrode supporting memb and extending upwar plate but insulated. therefrom, a gas outlet secured in said. plate and communieating with the interior of said diaphragm, and a gas outlet secured in said. support and comn'lunicating with the interior of said receptacle exteriorly of said diaphragm, substantially as specified.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a receptacle constituting an electrode, provided along the open upper end of said receptacle, a-support corresponding in out line substantially with the outline of said flange, means for securing said support to said flange; said support having a central opening therein, a sleeve member depending from the edge of said opening and corresponding in outline therewith, a bag-shaped, flexible diaphragm disposed upon the depending sleeve on said support, a member embracing said diaphragm whereby to secure the same to said sleeve, a cover plate for sealing the opening in said diaphragm, means for securing said cover plate to said support, an electrode disposed within said member on said support, and an outlet tube secured in said support and extending into said receptacle exterlorly of said diaphragm,

substantially as specified.

Signed at the city of New York, in the of New York, thisQlst one thousand nine hundred countyand State day of June, and fifteen.

DUDLEY SHAW.

diaphragm, means through said cover a laterally-extending flange 

